Reading and ‘riting and ‘rithmetic won’t be accompanied by a hickory stick at Newtown’s Little Red Schoolhouse this fall, but the schoolhouse will be open for tours on Sunday, October 13, from 2 to 4 pm.

In addition to the tours, there will be 19th Century games on the lawn or inside, depending on weather.

The building was erected about 1850, replacing the earlier edifice serving the Bear Hills District. In 1802, when the Newtown-Bridgeport Turnpike was opened, the school, nearby to the central one of three tollgates, was renamed the Middle Gate School. The building was given to the Newtown Historical Society property in 1973 and later moved to its present site on the lawn of Middle Gate Elementary School, 12 Cold Spring Road, where it was restored and is now maintained by the society for tours and an annual open house day in the fall. It is one of two buildings maintained by the society, along with the Matthew Curtiss House on Main Street, which serves as the home of the society.

The schoolhouse contains the original furniture, restored by the society so that children can experience the “comfort” of our ancestors’ learning environment.

Costumed docents will be available to help with seating assignments and tours. Guests on Sunday will also be free to walk around the schoolhouse on their own.

The event is free and open to the public.

Newtown Historical Society is an entirely volunteer organization with no paid staff; volunteer staffing limits the society to one open house per month during the spring and fall.

Reservations are not needed for Sunday, but additional information is available by visiting newtownhistory.org or calling 203-426-5937.